seasonsrpg | semi-open 💐 I had to fall to lose it all

... [ kaveh hesitates, but if there's one person that's going to understand how he's feeling it's guizhong. ] I... I died. Horrifically. And being alive again is just so... surreal. N- Not that I'm not thankful. I just... moving on is easier said than done. I can't just... forget what happened. I can't just forget how much it hurt and how terrified I was that that is how it was going to end...

[She does understand. Being prepared for death does little to make it easier and she wishes that she had more to say to him.

Scooting closer, she puts her arm around him properly and leans gently against his side.]

Do you want to go somewhere with me? I have something I'd like to show you that I think you'll appreciate. [As an admirer of beauty she's sure he'll like it... and maybe she can take his mind off his darker thoughts at least for a while.] As an artist.

[ he moves his arm around her as soon as she's pressed into his side. it's nice to feel her grounding presence and, not only that, he likes knowing that he's not alone. being able to feel her warmth beside him certainly helps keep him from losing his shit, which is something he's actively trying to avoid while digging through all of these terrible memories. ]

I wouldn't mind going somewhere with you. I'm sure it's better than here. [ a small smile as she keeps his love of beauty in mind. perhaps that'll be enough to distract him. ] Let's go.

Let's go. [She echoes him and stands up, waiting for him to do the same before she slips her small hand into hers and guides him off down the street. He's so much taller than her, but the impression is one of a patient grandmother leading her upset grandchild along.

Where she takes him ends up being her own apartment. The furniture is fairly sparse and in Zhongli's absence the place has started to become quite messy overall, and in the centre of the coffee table is a large, ornate teapot.

It's the teapot that she takes him over to.]

Kaveh, how much do you know about sub-space creation?

I know of them, er, the concept, that is, but... [ he's going to walk a circle around the table, taking a knee alongside the coffee table to lean in and get a better look at the orate pot. ] Is this...? [ he quirks his head to the side. ] Are you implying this teapot... [ his eyes light up! ]

[She sees him piece it together quickly, as she had expected of someone so bright, and her expression warms to see how he lights up with his own realisation. Guizhong approaches and nods, perching on the edge of the couch.]

Inside this teapot is a sub-space realm modelled after the Realm of Clouds - an adeptal space I created in Liyue to experiment in and to store my creations. Not quite as big, but I hope no less appealing to the eye.

[Looking at him with a smile, she offers him her hand.]

Would you like to see it?

!!! [ kaveh jumps up instantly. ] I would love to, Guizhong! [ he can't imagine having a sub space all to himself, but it sounds ideal. he could get so much more work done and he wouldn't have to worry about keeping alhaitham awake, since he sometimes works well into the night. ] And you made this? I bet it's beautiful inside. Do you have any of your creations here? Perhaps you can show them to me!

Hehe, yes, I keep a few things in there. And I'd love to show them to you.

[In particular, one thing which she somehow had with her when she arrived. He might not know its importance but she would show it to him anyway.

And since he's so eager, she doesn't think she needs to ask if he's ready to head inside now. With one hand resting on the teapot she takes his other one in hers and abruptly the entire room seems to tilt, then fade, and then suddenly the two of them are in an entirely different location.

The grass under their feet is green and soft, and the sky is washed with a warm golden glow as clouds drift overhead. There are several floating islands linked together with golden pathways of light made of shifting sigils and behind them is a small cottage with several tables outside strewn with papers and small contraptions.

Guizhong is still kneeling, so she gets up and keeps hold of Kaveh's hand, tucking it into his palm a little more comfortably.]

What do you think?

...woah. [ he stands up, taking her hand. ] This is... it's just... AMAZING! I can't get over how beautiful this place is. And... [ he steps forward, shaking his head in disbelief, because it's dream-like! ]

You made this? All of this?? [ kaveh continues to wander forward, looking up, down, and all around... just soaking in the atmosphere of the adeptal realm. ] And all of this is inside that little teapot??? Absolutely incredible. You've got to tell me how you did it.

Adeptus secrets, I'm afraid I can't tell you.

[She's half laughing as she says it, though, so it's hard to take her completely seriously. Guizhong gently squeezes his hand and then shakes her head.]

It was something that Rex Lapis taught us. A blessing as part of our 'illumination', if you will. [Her eyes softens as she thinks back on that time.]

I can't tell you how to do it yourself, but I can show you how I do it.

H- Hahaha. I would have been surprised had I been able to do it myself. [ but that doesn't mean he's not going to try to think of ways to do something similar. having a private ( and quiet ) space would be ideal right now and, not only that, he knows alhaitham would enjoy it too. that might end up just being their garden though. ]

I would love to see your process!

[Well he seems to be feeling a lot better, so she's going to count this as a complete success!

She smiles and nods, and she turns her attention towards one of the floating islands with some open space.]

Very well. What shall I show to you? I feel I simply must impress you, now.

Anything! Everything?

Whatever you like, Guizhong. I know I'm going to be impressed no matter what you show me. [ he shakes his head, still in awe. ] My mind is already blown. I hope I'll be able to show you something just as incredible. [ he IS working on a house for himself and alhaitham, so perhaps he can show her that. ]

Hmm, all right then...

[Her power as an adeptus is really nothing in comparison to Rex Lapis and even some of her friends, but that doesn't mean she can't do something impressive!

She lifts up her hands and a chiming, ringing sound rolls out over the space in front of them. The air seems to shimmer, the ground shifts, and in no time at all a tall, rocky outcrop adorned with trees and flowers has risen and grown on what had been a flat, grassy area.]

Hmm, what do you think?

[ his mouth drops open as he lets out a gasp. his eyes sparkle as he watches her work the earth. it's crazy that she can do these sorts of things! so absolutely impressive!! he smiles, his heart fluttering as he steps closer to the outcrop that she's made, reaching for one of the flowers that's blossomed. ] What do I think? [ he laughs. ] I'm speechless! You're incredible, Guizhong.

Oh, really, it's nothing much.

[She chuckles and reaches one hand up to gently ruffle against the side of his hair. Guizhong is not a boastful person when it comes to things like this and it does make her feel good to see someone so appreciative of her work.]

What would you do if you had a space like this?

[It would be within her power to grant him one, but she does wonder what use he would make of it...]

Me? [ for a moment he goes silent, his mind racing a mile a minute as he thinks of all of the things he could do with an incredible space like this! but then it settles on one thing... and smiles solemnly. ] I would sketch while I think about both the past and the future. I try not to think about the past too much, because of much it affects me, and as for the future... I'm pretty bad about it, at least on my own, but having a quiet space all for myself... I think I could finally do both and actually make some headway.

[Guizhong looks up at him, her head slightly cocked, while he speaks and explains what he would do. She smiles to herself and chuckles softly, then looks away and pauses a moment before gently slipping her hand into his and giving it a gentle squeeze.

He's a good man. A kind, sensitive, generous soul and she can feel that about him.]

I'll make one for you.

[It's an easy thing, though no small offer to make. Adepti don't just go handing things like that out to anyone.]

But on one condition, Kaveh. [Then she pulls his hand into both of hers, clasping it and looking up until he returns her gaze.] You mustn't use it to hide away from the world. Will you make that promise to me?

Wait, wh- what, really?! [ kaveh is taken aback when she tells him that she'll make one of these magnificent realms for him. his eyes twinkle as tears begin welling in his eyes. he hastily brings a hand to wipe them away. ] What could I possibly give you in return for something like th- [ he blinks, looking down at their hands with a smile. ]

I promise. I'll have to show Alhaitham! And Ayato too! [ and so many others. ] Would you like to help me decorate it. I bet we could make all sorts of incredible things together!

Hehe, it would be my honour to see what you did with it yourself, but of course I'll help you.

[Well, it looks like she's fully distracted him from his previous melancholy in any case! Since that was her aim to begin with, she's very pleased with the outcome of this outing.]

It might take me a little while to do it, but I do have everything I need to put it together. I'll make sure it's perfect for you, don't you worry.

I think it could be fun. To do so together, I mean. I can even invite Alhaitham along. I really do want to introduce you two if you haven't already me. He's incredibly important to me. [ he's always been there for him whether either of them admit it or not. ]

And that's fine. I have to imagine that something like this takes time. Are you sure there's nothing I can do for you in return? [ he doesn't like just... taking things. gift or not. ]

I only want you to enjoy it to the fullest, that's more than enough to give me in return.

[Honestly! She doesn't know what she'd ask for for something like this in any case, and it's not as if she's doing it to get something in return. Guizhong just shakes her head and smiles at him.]

Not everything in life is transactional, Kaveh. Sometimes people just do things because it brings them happiness.

I know, but... [ he does know because he is often the one doing the giving. it feels so weird to take something from somebody without at least offering something in return, especially when it's such a beautiful and personal gift. ]

Thank you, Guizhong. Really. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

I know you do.

[She smiles up at him, then gestures out in front of them with one hand.]

If you're set on giving me something, you can give me a drawing. I'd love to see how this place looks through your eyes.

A drawing is certainly something I can do.

I can start now if you like...
If the process is something that you're interested in.

Mehrak always has my sketchbook on me, because there's so much to be inspired by in this place.

semi-open 💐 I had to fall to lose it all

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